What’s the status of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - or SNAP – benefits in Pennsylvania amid the ongoing government shutdown?

A new report finds that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Pennsylvania still face major barriers to basic health care.

Penn State is preparing for potential cuts in federal funding for research, and changes to visa regulations for international students and workers.

A 15-year-old boy from Mount Joy is accused of beating three younger children and using racial slurs.

We're learning more about Tuesday's election results: Dauphin County voters elected the first Black woman as judge.

And Kenneth Hock narrowly won reelection as mayor of Chambersburg.

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Democrats resoundingly swept the contentious statewide judicial races. Republicans, backed by billionaire donor Jeffrey Yass, sought to make history with a series of votes to remove three Democratic judges from the state Supreme Court. But all three Justices, Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue and David Wecht, will retain their seats.

Democrats also won a seat each on the state’s Superior and Commonwealth appellate courts.

In Harrisburg, incumbent Wanda Williams secured another four years as mayor by receiving 56% of the vote, over city treasurer Dan Miller's 43%.

And in Lancaster, Democrat Jaime Arroyo will be the city’s next mayor after securing a resounding victory.

In Dauphin County, a bomb threat triggered a lockdown at an elementary school serving as a polling location Tuesday afternoon.

A lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s ban on Medicaid coverage for abortions returns to court this week.

Graduate student workers at Penn State are holding a vote on whether to form a union.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and the leaders of all four legislative caucuses met in person several days last week.

Franklin and Marshall College is announcing a major initiative designed to make the Lancaster-based private school more affordable.

Cumberland County Commissioners are reminding volunteer fire, ambulance, and EMS personnel of an upcoming deadline. November 15th is the final day first responders can apply for the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Tax Credit of up to $250.

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On this Election Day, Pennsylvanians will decide whether three state Supreme Court Justices should keep their seats. The unprecedented spending and polarization this year has put off some voters.

Partisan control of the court could have major implications for the 2028 presidential race, since justices might be asked to rule on election disputes, as they did in 2020.

Republican lawmakers across the mid-Atlantic met in Harrisburg last week to discuss rising electricity bills.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a draft air permit to a natural gas fired power plant in Westmoreland County. Environmental groups say the draft has several flaws.

American Water and Essential Utilities are merging. They’re the two largest municipal water and wastewater management companies in the United States.

Both the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg released statements in response to a controversial float in the Hanover Halloween parade last week.

Seven hundred faculty members at Harrisburg Area Community College - HACC - went on strike yesterday.

The Lancaster Stormers are under new ownership.

Prospector Baseball Group acquired the minor league baseball team from four Lancaster-area businessmen who owned the Stormers for the past 12 years.

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The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention vote is unusually contentious this year.

On today’s Morning Agenda, we’re going to dive into this vote from several angles and explain what’s at stake.

It’s even putting Pennsylvania in the national spotlight. The leader of the national Democratic party is campaigning across the state in advance of Tuesday's elections.

Reproductive health rights have become a key issue for the retention vote.

How have the three justices ruled on environmental issues?

Also

joining us to dive a bit deeper and explain what's at stake is Elizabeth Estrada, Democracy Editor at Spotlight PA.

See Elizabeth Estrada's story for Spotlight PA, How Pa. Supreme Court rulings have shaped cities.

To learn how the Supreme Court has impacted rural communities, click here for Marley Parish's Spotlight PA story as well.

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As the federal government shutdown continues, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity says she could loan the state money to cover food-stamp benefits for 2 million Pennsylvanians. Governor Josh Shapiro says her proposal isn’t a solution.

Mike Tyson is best known for his career as a heavyweight boxer. But now he’s making a name for himself in the pot industry. Iron Mike is lobbying for recreational marijuana use in Pennsylvania.

Another opportunity for Pennsylvania hunters opens Saturday.

A family in Bellefonte, Centre County recently got a big treat. And this Halloween the news is out on national television. Their historic home beside Union Cemetery was chosen for a renovation on the HGTV show Scariest House in America.

Many musicians write songs about love, heartbreak or life on the road. But there's a Central Pennsylvania band that sings about slapshots, breakaways and cross checks. That's right, Light the Lamp is a band that writes songs exclusively about hockey. WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich recently faced off with the band in our studio.

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Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the agency’s pause in food aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP during the federal government shutdown. Julie Bancroft, the CEO of nonprofit Feeding Pennsylvania, is calling on lawmakers to continue SNAP payments.

Pennsylvania officials are scrambling to address the expected rise in food insecurity. About 12% of U.S. households, or one in eight, could feel the effects of an abrupt pause to federal food assistance programs like SNAP. Let's take a deep dive into WITF's listening area to find out how our area would be affected.

In suburban Philadelphia, the City of Coatesville recently debuted a new sound-based, gunshot detection technology. Police are banking on it being an effective tool in combating gun violence.

State lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday on a set of bills aimed at reducing burdens felt by students tied up in juvenile court.

Lancaster County Commissioners are searching for a financial adviser to join their consulting team working to build a new prison.

A recent hearing before a state House committee examined the how growth of A.I. data centers will affect the energy grid and the price consumers pay.

Pennsylvania's volunteer fire companies can apply for grants to help protect rural communities from wildfires.

In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow.

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Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick visited Harrisburg Monday and was asked about the continuing federal government shutdown and the chances for Republicans and Democrats to negotiate a solution.

Last month’s announcement from the Trump administration linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism in children has brought renewed attention to how we research medication risks during pregnancy.

The state Insurance Department is reaffirming expectations for insurers to cover the COVID-19 vaccine.

Last Friday was the 100th gathering of a group called Fridays at Fetterman. It was the 100th peace vigil held by the group which formed over the situation in Gaza.

Pennsylvania’s Election Day is next Tuesday, November 4th. This past Tuesday was the last day to request a mail-in ballot. And more than 1.1 million voters have done so, as of Monday. Those figures are up 17% from the 20-21 municipal election.

We are learning more about security upgrades and repairs to both the Governor's residence in Harrisburg and Governor Josh Shapiro's private home in suburban Philadelphia.

Commissioners in Manheim Township, Lancaster County have appointed a new police chief, in the wake of the firing of former chief Duane Fisher in June.

Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. Your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow.

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Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania households rely on a federally funded utility assistance program to help them keep their homes warm each winter. But the federal government shutdown means Pennsylvania has not received the funding it needs to run this program

Allies for the LGBTQ+ community say state officials should act to protect same sex marriage in Pennsylvania, in case the U-S Supreme Court takes up a case this month designed to weaken marriage equality.

Penn State Athletic officials are mounting a nationwide search for the next Head Football Coach to replace James Franklin who was fired October 12th, one day after the Nittany Lions lost to Northwestern. You can hear the full segment on The Spark, by logging onto the "Programs" page at witf.org, and tune into The Spark weekdays at 12 noon on WITF-FM

The state ethics commission has directed Harrisburg city Mayor Wanda Williams to pay over 900 hundred dollars to the city

A recent hearing before a state House committee examined the how growth of A.I. data centers will affect the energy grid, and the price consumers pay.

The PA Public Utility Commission voted this week to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities.

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